Vehicle-heater.



- W. H. MILLER.

VEHICLE HEATER.

I APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, I9l3. v 1,164,841. Patented Dec.21 ,1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES: IN VEN TOR:

0% I ATTORNEY.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,, WASHINGTON. 0.1:

W. H. MILLER.

VEHICLE HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-14, 1913.

1,164,841. Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. 6 I WITNESSES: IN VEN TOR:

m ATTORNEY. I

COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH co.,WAsH|NuToN. n. c.

WILLIAM H. MILLER, 0F ORAW'FOEIDSVILLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR T0 MILLERVEHICLE HEATER COMPANY, OF CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OFINDIANA.

VEHICLE-HEATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

for various purposes, and especially adapted to be connected to thebottom or floor of various vehicles or rooms for heating the interior ofthe vehicles or rooms, by means of radiated heat and also heated air,the invention having reference more par- I ticularly to the structureand various parts thereof described in my pending application forLetters Patent of the United States, filed July 28, 1913, Serial No.781,551, and also to improvements in the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide heating apparatus that shall beadapted to be attached to floors of buildings or vehicles of varioustypes, such as wagons, omnibuses, carriages or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide heating apparatus ofsimple construction which may be cheaply manufactured and readily set upfor use.

A still further object is to provide a safety heater adapted moreespecially for use in heating vehicles that are designed for conveyingpupils to or from school, or for rural postal routes, which heater shallbe so constructed as to not be liable to derangement and which shall beadapted for burning charcoal or wood which may usually be obtained inany locality.

The invention consists in heating apparatus comprising a furnace havingits upper portion. exposed or uncovered so as to supply directlyradiated heat, there being air passages around the'furnace so that airis heated and caused to circulate and escape for heating purposes,theinvention consisting also in various novel features of constructionembraced in the apparatus, and

in the parts and combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafterparticularly described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a heaterconstructed substantially in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2, aside elevation of the heater; Fig. 3, an enlarged vertical sectionapproximately on the line A A. in Fig. 1; Fig. 4:,an enlarged transversesection approximately on the line B B in F ig. 2; Fig. 5, a section onthe plane of the line C C in Fig. 4; Fig. 6, a section approximately onthe line D D in Fig. L looking upward; Fig. 7, a perspective view of theheater front part; Fig. 8, a perspective view of the back part of thefire box of the furnace, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of thefire box wall linings.

Corresponding reference characters in the difierent figures of thedrawings indicate corresponding elements or features of constructionherein referred to.

The improved heater being especially adapted to be arranged under andconnected with the floor of a compartment or the body of the vehicle orcar in a particular manner, a floor is shown, of which the numeral 1indicates the forward portion and 2 the rearward portion of a vehiclefloor, a suitable opening 3 being made or left in the floor throughwhich the heat may enter the body of the vehicle. The heater comprises asutable casing or drum 4 which preferably is cylindrical and has heads 5and 6 on opposite ends thereof respectively, the normal upper portion ofthe head 6 having an aperture 7 therein to receive a draft pipe. Thedrum is longer than the opening in the floor and is arranged below theopening-the normal upper portion of the casing or drum having anaperture 8 therein that is approximately equal in length longitudinallyto the transverse diameter of the opening in the floor and less in widthtransversely than the longitudinal diameter of the opening in the floor,the casing or drum extending transversely relatively to the vehicle bodyin I order that the heater may be conveniently operated under theconditions to which it may be subjected. The cylindrical portion of thecasing or drum is composed of sheet metal and portions of the metal onopposite sides of theopening 8 are turned-up ward and outward flaringlyto form hangers 9 and 10 to which plates 11 and 12- are securedrespectively so as toextendradially from the casing, the platesextending through the opening 3 and having flanges 13 and 14 formedthereon that extend outward for support upon the vehicle floor, theflanges being suitably secured to the floor, other portions of the metalbeing turned upward to form hangers 15 and 16 at opposite ends of theopeningS respectively, two V-shaped plates 17 and 18 being secured tothe hangers 15 and 16 and to the plates 11 and 12 so as to complete anair-outlet or distributing'duct, the plates 17 and 18 having flanges 19and 20 thereon re spectively that extend outward for support upon thevehicle floor. The outlet orifice of the duct is covered by a grating orregister 21 arranged upon the flanges of the duct and suitably securedin place."

Preferably the head orfront 5 is formed as a casting and it has anannular flange or rib 22 on its inner side and extending into theforward end of the cylindrical casing, being provided with suitable boltholes 23, 23 that receive securing bolts 24, 24, inserted through thewall of'the casing whereby the head is fixedly secured to the casing.The front has also another annular rib on the inner side thereof that issmaller in diameterand concentric --to the flange orrib 22. The normalupper'portion of the front has a doorway 26 therein adapted to receivefuel, the front being provided at one side of the doorway with suitablehinge'ears 27. A door 28 is provided which has hinge ears 29 on one sidethereof connected to the cars 27 by vertically arranged hinge pinsBO,the

front having a catch 31 adjacent to the 0pposite side of the doorway. Alatch bar 32 is connected to the door by means of a pivot 33" and isprovided with ahandle or knob 34 for connecting the latch bar with thecatch 31 or disconnecting it therefrom. The

normal lower portion ofthe front 5 has an aperture or doorway 35 thereinabove which a horizontal ledge 36 1s formedon the inner side of thefront and integral with the rib 25 for'supporting a fire-grate, thefront having bolt holes 37 and 37 therein above the ledge 36 andadjacent to the inner side of the r1b 25, a door frame 38 being formedon the outer side of the front 5 and extending about the aperture 35,the front of the door frame being sloping. The front 5 is provided'alsowith hinge ears 39 above the door frame, an

.ash pit door or damper 40 being provided for closing the aperture 35and having hinge ears 41 that are connected by means of horizontal hingepins to the cars 39, the door falling by gravity and normally restingonthe frame 33." The door 40 is provided on its free end with a'lateralarm 43 that extends below the hinges of the fire-door 28,

a chain or cable 44 being connected to the arm'for openingthe door 40,snare-1101aing the door in partially open position for regulating thedraft required for combus- The fire box of the heater comprisesa Vhollow cylinder 45 and oneend portion thereof extends around the rib 25and abuts the inner side of'thelhead oryfront 5,'the

tends under the'distributing ductso that the latter receives the heatthat may be ra'di ated directly from the upper portionv of the lire box,the fire-box including a re'ar plate or wall. 46wh1ch has an annularflange or rib 47 on its inner side and extending into the oppositeorrear end portion of the cylinder to the inner side'of the rib 47. Thenormal top portion of the wall 46 has an extension latter constitutingthe-front of the fire-box as well as the adjacent Wall of the vair pass1 sage. between the. casing 4 and thefire-box wall. The cylinder 45, aswill be "seen, ex-

porting the fire-grate. Thewall has bolt holes 49 therein above theledge and adjacent or car 50 thereon that projects beyondthe cylinder 45and has-a bolt hole 51 therein.

Two securing bolts or rods 52"and 53 extend along the opposite portionsof the interior of the fire-box adjacent to the cylinder 45 V and areconnected to the front or head5 and also to th erear Wall 46',the rodsbeing received in the bolt holes formed in the heads, so that the rodsare arranged slightly above the ledges 36 and 48.- A similar bolt or rod54 is connected to the'upper portion of the front or head 5 and extends.along the top of 'thecylinder 45 and isconnected to the car 50. Thebolts or rods tightly hold the cylinder to the front and the rear Wallof the cylinder. The upper portion of the rear wall46 has adraft-opening 55therein from which extends a draft pipe 56 through theaperture 7. The plate or wall 46 and the r draft pipe 56 preferably areformed as a sin gle casting-and the upper portion of'the draft pipepreferably has a pin-hole 57 therein to receive apin whereby to secure adraft pipe extension to the draft pipe 56, the latter being suitablysecured to the head 6, preferably by means of a coll'ar'58 secured toplates the outer side ofthe head 6 and having a flange or projection 59thereonwhich is secured by means of a bolt 60 to the draft pipe.

The fire-box is provided with two lining plates 61 and 62 inorder toprotect the cylinder 45, the plates extending from the front 5 to theback wall 16 and resting upon the ledges 36 and 48, the platesbeing-inclined so that they extend upward divergently. The plates arecast from one pattern so as to be interchangeable and the outer sides ofthe have horizontal: grooves or flutings 63 and 68 respectively, two ofthe grooves receiving the rods 52 and 53 which hold the plates slightlyapart from the cylinder 15 adjacent to the ledges. The upper portions ofthe plates are secured'to opposite portions of the cylinder-45 by meansof bolts 61 and 64 respectively, each'plate having a suitable number ofbolt holes 65 therein to re ceive the bolts. The lower portions of theplates have vertical faces 66 and 66 respectively that serve as guidesfor grate bars 67 which are cast integrally with cross-bars 68 and 69that rest upon the ledges 36 and 48 g respectively.

,may escape from the Y The normal under portion of the casing or drum 1has a longitudinally arranged row of air-inlet openings 70 and aparallel row of similar openings 71, the portion of the casing that isforward relative to the vehicle being provided with hinge devices 72provided with a hinge pin 73. A curved regulating door 74 correspondingto the curvature of the casing is provided and has a hinge device 7 5which is connected to the hinge pin 73. When the regulating door isdrawn against the casing it closes all the inlet openings, but when itis lowered slightly one of the rows which is nearest the hinge pin isuncovered to a less extent than the openings farther removed from thehinge connections. WVhen the door is in partially opened position andthe vehicle carrying the heater is in motion so that air currents areproduced,,the door deflects the air so that cold air and dust are notdrawn directly into the air-inlet openings, the dust being deflectedfrom the openings. The air-inlet openings, 70, 71, are relatively largeso that dust or trash falling through the grating 21 of air, the door.74; is

govern the admission provided with a projecting finger which a chain orcable 7 7 is connected so that the door .may be permitted to open bygravity and its movement be controlled.

In some cases be passing through the grating 21 after checking the fire,and in order to temper the heat the opposite upper portions of thecasing or drum 4 are provided with two rows of cold-air-inlet apertures78 and 79 respectively adjacent to the hanger portions 9 and casing. Inorder to more heat than desired may 10 respectively, and suitable hingedevices 80 and 80' are secured to the casing and provided with hingepins 81 and 81 respectively, two valves 82 and 83 being provided andadapted to normally close the two rows of apertures respectively, thevalves being fitted to the exterior of the casing or drum and havinghinge devices 81 and 85 that are connected to the hinge pins 81 and 81respectively. The valves 82 and 83 are rovided respectively with beads86 and 8 on the outer sides of their free ends and also with lugs 88 and89 to which two chains 90 and 91 are respectively connected, the chainsbeing brought up over the top of the casing and connected to a chain orcable 92, so that valves may be opened at one operatiom In order tolimit the extent of opening of the valves and to promptly close them,two leaf springs 93 and 91 are secured to the outer side of oppositeportions of the casing 1 and extend upward at the outer side both of the'of the valves, the springs having suitably ably secured to the innerside of one pprtion and a similar lining 99 on the opposite innerportion of the casing at, linings 100 and 100 being secured to the innersides of the plates 1.1 and 12 respectively, a lining 101 beingsecuredto the inner side of the head 6, other linings 102 and 10-3 beingsecured to the inner sides of the plates 17 and 18 respectively. Thelinings may suitably be composed of sheet asbestos or othernoncombustible substance presenting a smooth face so that dustgravitating through the air passages shall not adhere thereto but passon and out through the air-inlet openings 70 and 71 and thence down overthe inclined door 74:.

It will be observed that the controlling chains or cables 4A, 77 and 92are so arranged that they may be readily brought up or guided to one andthe same station, in order that full and convenient control of theheating apparatus may be had.

In practical use, the fuel is inserted through the doorway 26 and thefire is regulated so as to control the heat by adjusting the door ordraft regulator 40. The ashes resulting from combustion fall through thetire grate and to the under portion of the cylinder 4:5. and are removedthrough the doorway The smoke, if any, and gases resulting fromcombustion are I drawn through the draft pipe 56. v The upper por tionof the cylinder becomes heated and v the heat is-radiateddirectlythrough the distributing duct to and through the grating 21 whichbecomes suificiently heated to Warm the-feet of those standing upon it.Atmospheric air is admitted into the casing below.

the fire box-through the air-inlet openings and' 7'l by means of thedoor 74, and the air in passing upward around the sides of the fire boxbecomes heated and is to an extent superheated by the upper portion'ofthe firebox cylinder, the circulating air partaking of the directlyradiated heat, the heated air rising through the openings in the grating21. The firebox, as will be seen, is relatively large so that the fireneed not be forced and a high degree of heat is obtained with arelatively low rate of combustion,

' and therefore the fuel need not be frequently replenished,the heatertherefore being adapt ed to be operated enonomically.

In'case less heat is desired afterthe fire is checked, the chain-92 ispulled upward so as to open the valves 82 and 83 which permit cold airto enter and temper the heat passing up the distributing duct, thecooler air also I furnishing refreshing breathing air for the occupantsof the room or chamber above.-

Having thus descrlbedthe lnvention, what is claimed as new is- '1. Ina'heater, the combination of a normally'horizontal cylindrical casinghaving an outlet-opening in its upperportion and having also anair-inlet aperture adjacent to the outlet-opening, the under portion ofthe casing having'an air-inlet therein, a

curved door movably mounted on the under portion of the-casing to coverthe air-inlet, a

'ture. g 2. In a heater, the combination ofa normally horizontalcyllndrlcal casing having cylindrical fire-box supported in the casing 1between the air-inlet andthe outlet-opening,,

the fire-box extending opposite the aperture, a fire-door connected withthe fire-box, a

fire-grate supported in the fire-box, and a curved air-inlet valvepivotally mounted on the casing adjacent to the outlet-opening andadapted for closing the air-inlet apera distributing duct connected toits upper portion and havingv also air-inlet apertures in its upperportion on opposite sides respectively of the duct, the underportionnofthe casing having an air-inlet therein'provided with a curvedand swinging regulating v door, a cylindrical 'fire-box supportedhorizontally in the casing and extending opposite the air-inlet yandvthe apertures and also under the duct, a fire- -door connected withthefire-box, and a pair of curved air-regulating valves hinged to theupper portion of thecasingadjacentto opposite sides respectively of theduct and adapted to swing down to close the air-inlet I aperturesrespectively, each valve being provided with a controllingdevice.

3. In a heatinglapparatus, thecom'bina tion of ahorizontal'cylindricalcasing hav- 7 ing air-inlet openings in the under portion I and apluralityof air-inlet apertures inthe l- 5 upper portion --thereof, aduct connected tov the upper portion of the casing above the apertures,a valve hinged to the casing above and extending down over. theapertures, .21

spring 'for'closingthe valve, a chain connected to the'valve for openingit, and-a firebox supported. in" the casing-opposite "the openings andthe apertures.

4. In a heating apparatus, the co mbinag' tion of a vfront, a horizontalcasing'con- 1 nected to the front and having an air-inlet f opening inthe under portion thereof, a head secured to the casingand havlng anapering a projection thereon, a distributing duct ward the head, a backplate connected to the end of the cylinder and having draft pipethereonextending through the aperture in the head and also through saidcollar, and means for securing the draft pipe to said projection.

5. In aheating apparatus, the combination of a fire-box cylinder acasing extending about the cylinder and having an airinlet'in its underportion, a head a'nda back plate connected to opposite ends respectivelyof the cylinder and-having each a. ledge on; the inner side thereof, theback plate having a draft pipe, a distributing duct connected a to theupper portion of the casing, a rod connected to the head and also tosaidback plate, two liningfplatesand also a fire-grate.

supported by the ledges, the-backs of the lining plates havinglongitudinal grooves.

therein, boltssecuring the lining plates to the cylinder, and two rodsextending in the grooves of the two lining plates respectively backplate.

6. In a heating apparatus, the cornbina i tion ofa.horizontal}cylindrical.fireebox,,-"

a .cylindrical casing extending about'and supporting the fire-box andvhaving air-inlet i openings in the under portion thereof below thefire-box, the upper portion of thecasing having a plurality of aperturestherein ar-y "ranged in two separate'longitudinal rows, a distributingduct connected to; the casing between the" two rows of; apertures,'ftwocurved valves hinged to the casing .above'the 115 and connectedtotheheadand also to the two rows of apertures respectively andextending downward over the apertures, each valve having a bead and alsoprojecting lugs thereon, a spring secured to the casing below each ofsaid valves respectively and extending upward to the valves, each springhaving a crook to be engaged by the head of the adjacent valve, twochains connected rer spectively to the lugs, and a pull chain connectedto the two chains.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. MILLER. Witnesses:

FRED F. DOHERTY, CHARLES M. MOOABE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

